OPENING OF THE CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC HALL.

Waikato Times, Issue 863, 29 December 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF THE CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC HALL.

GRAND CONCERT,

The largest audience ever got together m Cambridge m one budding were all seated at eight o'clock on Thursday last. The OudcUng was quite filled. • Major Clare took the chair at' a few minutes after tho appointed time. The proceedings then opened with a chorus by the members of the Harmonic Society, called "The Friar of Order's Gray. This was rendered with great taste oy twelve ladies and as many gentlemen. The singing was a gieat improvement; on that at the la«t concert held here. I'he. performanence of the lady pianist, Mrs. Chitty, was quite up to her usual style In tho creation and management of this society, the musical talent and skill of the conductor, Mr. C. E. Mackintosh, hais been exhibited quito as much as m the; Cambridge Reed Band. At the conclusion of the glee, the members of the Harmonic Society were greeted with rounds of applause. Major Clare then rose and said, It had unfortunately devolved upon him to tako the chair on this occasion. He had wished that some one from a distance could have been obtained to do so instead. Ie was unfortunate that it fell to his duty to preside, inasmuch as he had never been placed m a similar position before. However, he thought he had the best right to take a prominent part m the proceedings which commemorated such a thorough and substantial evidence of the progress and advancement of the town- \ ship of Cambridge. It was tliirteon and a half years ago ht August, 1864, that he was sent with a detachment of four hundred and fifty men (his superior officer 1 Colonel Lyon being on other duty) to take possession of this land of promise. The position of the camp was fixed on that part of the township now called Cambridge West. One party took possession of that side of the river and another of this, The land was covered with fern and titree scrub, where now it is clothed with natures beautiful emerald arpet. His house was the first permanent residence erected m Cambridge. He remembered when during the progress of the building, a journey from the camp to its site was the extent of an afternoon walk. Ho had brought his family here, and made it his home. He had watched with interest the advancement the district had mad with such rapid strides m so short a time. "When ho looked back upon the dangers and difficulties which beset the early settlers here m taking possession of this land of promise, and reducing it to its present thrivbig state, ho could not but think that this land of promise had now become the laijd of realization. "When he looked upon the great tracks of fertile land, inviting the civilizing plough, upon which iv a few yoars the golden corn would wave and settlers dwell m peaceful security without fear of molestation, the day was not tar distant when the Cambridge people now present would take part m festivities similar to those just held m Hamilton, m inaugurating the completion of the connecting link between the Metropolis and Cambridge. Our own hands should entwine the leaves m the triumphal arch, which should welcome the arrival of the iron burse to Cambridge to carry Cambridge produce to market, and bring back wealth and prosperity to Cambridge settlers. He was proud to fulfl the duty which devolved upon him this evening, m presiding at the oponing of the Cambridge Pijb)_ c Hall, which he now declared to be formally opened. He would not detain them any longer from their musical treat, but aunounced a song by Mr. Blake, " Come I}ack to Erin." This song Mr. Blake rendered extremely well, but it is om* opinion that the building did not do full justice to the voices, whether from not being lined, or whether the wings require to be shut off from the stage, we cannot say, but sometimes a very little thing wanting m the construction of a building naay render music, especially vocal music, not quite po effective as it otherwise might be. Mr. Blake possesses an excellent bass voice ■with cleax enunpiation. 4. clarionet quartette vas th r en very effectively given by Messrs Mackintosh, Stuart, Webb and Wright. This was executed with taste, and the beauties of this sweet instrument called forth great applause. Miss Gerrans then sang a pretty song, with hor usual success. A trio, v - ¥0 Oentlemen of England," was given m a spirited manner by Mossrs Mackintosh, Garland and Blake. The Cambridge Reed Band then followed with a waltz ; lo eulogize- this efficient company of performers wou»d only bo to vepoat th" former well merited euconiums, which have been hitherto accorded them. Miss Edgar, 8.A., a visitor from Aucklaud, who kindly consented <o assist, then sang a spirited song. This yuung lady possesses a cultivated voice, and her style of execution indicatoi a musical tajent ■ woll educated and practised. Thu Harmonic Society concluded the first p^rt of the entertainment, by rendering tiie ! ' beautiful glee entitled " Forgive PI st Shade,' and it was the prettiest and best

executed glee yet given by tho Society, and reflected great oredit ou both conductor and members. The second part of the programme opened with a glee by the Harmonic Society, "ln the Lonely Vale of Streams," rendered with the usual care and taste. A song by Mrs Mackin- . to.h followed, called, "0, Fair Dono." Mr Mackintosh followed with a clarionet j 8010. Mrs Chitty played the piano i I accompaniment. This was one of the best musical treats of tho evening. Tho Cambridge Reed Band then played a Galop, concerning which, it will be sufficient to say that the Band excelled itself. The bass and tenor voices coming m at intervals of the performance, this picoo rendored it very effective. An encore was enthusiastically demanded by the audience, and the Galop wars repeated. Mr Garland then gave a serio-comic song, "Take things ma quiet way." On an encore being deservedly demanded, another verse was given, which seemed to have been specially composed and reserved for such a contingency. Mrs Madigan gave the pretty Irish song, " The Shamrock," a song which well suited her voice. An encore being demanded, was duly responded to. " I'm a Friar of Orders Gray," by Mr Blake, followed, m which his voice appeared to better advantage than m his first song. " Cleansing Fires," by Miss Edgar, was one of the best solos of the evening. Tlie Chairman then announced that, before the Harmonic Society rendered the last piece of the programme, " When the toil of day is o'er, ' if any one wanted to make any remarks, they could do so. Mr. Hicks called for a vote of thanks to Mr. Mackintosh, accompanied by three cheers, which were cordially responded to Mr. Buttle then proposed a vote of thanks to Major Clare. It was due to him more than to any one else that they now had a Public Hall at Cambridge. He would call for three cheers for the worthy Chairman Major Clare. This being enthusiastically received, aud Major Clare having responded, the chorus was sung, followed by " God Save the Queen. After the seats were removed, about thirty couples took possession of tho floor, and dancing was kept up till day-break fifty couples taking part at different, times, to the music of the Cambridge Reed Band.